IT Students Reveal System Vulnerabilities in SASSA SRD Grant Applications, Sparking Investigation SRD Grants Fraud
Social Development Minister, Nokuzola Tolashe, has instructed the SASSA to investigate serious allegations of fraud concerning the R350 SRD grant. This comes after first-year IT students, Joel Cedras and Veer Gosai, uncovered vulnerabilities in the SRD grant application system.
Students Expose Security Flaws in SASSA’s Application Process
Cedras and Gosai revealed how fraudulent applications were being processed using stolen student ID numbers, allowing unauthorized individuals to receive grant payments. The students detailed their findings in a public article and briefed the Social Development portfolio committee on the issue.
Fraudulent Applications: How Student ID Numbers Were Misused
The students’ exposé highlighted how bank accounts were also opened fraudulently to accept SRD grant payments. They called for a complete reboot of the SASSA system and recommended verifying all grant applications from scratch to prevent future fraud.
SASSA Faces Challenges in Investigating Allegations
While Minister Tolashe has expressed deep concern over these revelations, she noted that SASSA’s investigation has been stalled due to a lack of further evidence from the two students. “I wish to assure this committee that I view these allegations in the most serious light, and have directed SASSA to initiate investigations into the matter. However, in the absence of reliable information from the source of the allegations, SASSA has not been able to complete its investigation,” said Tolashe.
Despite this, the Social Development portfolio committee has urged SASSA to act quickly, with a directive to report back within a month on the findings.
The Allegations and the Impact on SASSA’s System
The students’ discovery has sparked significant concern over the integrity of SASSA’s SRD grant system. The fraud uncovered involves the use of student ID numbers to create fraudulent grant applications, allowing payments to be funnelled into accounts opened illegally.
Cedras and Gosai have proposed that SASSA review its entire application process to ensure that all beneficiaries are legitimate, as the current system may leave vulnerable citizens at risk of further exploitation.
While Tolashe remains committed to pursuing the investigation, she emphasized the need for cooperation from all involved parties, particularly from those making the allegations.
SASSA’s Current Challenges
SASSA has faced multiple challenges in managing the SRD grant system, with the introduction of a new biometric verification process causing additional delays and frustrations for beneficiaries. The new revelations around fraud have added to these concerns, raising questions about the security of the grant system and the effectiveness of SASSA’s measures to combat fraud.
As the investigation continues, there are increasing calls for SASSA to overhaul its system to better protect beneficiaries and prevent future incidents of fraud.
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